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Research

**Updates coming soon…stay tuned**

My research seeks to understand motivational differences between individuals, as well as the processes that explain how motivational variables are associated with consequential life outcomes like academic achievement, health, and career choice. I am also interested in studying how motivational variables change and develop across the lifespan with a particular focus on goal development in adolescence and young adulthood. Accordingly, my research exists squarely in the space between personality and social psychology, bridging the gap from person to situation and vice versa.

Current Research:

The Kenyon Longitudinal Study is a prospective longitudinal assessment of liberal arts college student development. In collaboration with colleagues at the University of Texas at Dallas, this project seeks to understand differences in the developmental trajectories of students at different types of institutions.

The PMG Lab is participating in Many Labs 2. Find out more information about this 100+ site, multinational research collaboration here: https://osf.io/8cd4r/

Psychology alumnus Katie Finnigan ’15, has completed a senior honor’s thesis examining different ways of inducing stereotype threat and the effects of this threat for women with different achievement goals. You can read more about Katie’s plans for her project here (via OSF). Our paper is under review (a preprint is here).

Research assistant Tyler Kimble ’16 is interested in the role of individual team members’ personalities in influencing the success and viability of the team. Read more about the study he’s designed to test this research question here (via OSF; public soon).

Psychology alumnus Emilia Pazniokas ’15 has completed an independent study on changes in religious beliefs after interpersonal loss, as moderated by personality traits. Her project is currently under review, and you can read all about the project here.